Good Morning Everyone :)
I pray today finds you all doing well, and I'm so thankful you decided to drop by The Preppy Book Princess for another book review.
It's New Years weekend, and I hope you all have fun plans to celebrate the gift of another year on it's way.
I've never really been that into New Years, especially the partying side that always seems to accompany it, so I will either be watching a movie with my hubby after work tomorrow, or curling up with a great read.
One genre I particularly enjoy reading at this time of year is cozy mysteries, and I recently got the chance to read one of my most anticipated 2023 releases within this genre.
If you'd like to check out my review of a previous title in the series, you can do so using the link below. Otherwise keep on reading for my review of this upcoming release.
Cheddar Late than Dead by Linda Reilly:
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Publication Date: January 31st, 2023
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Grilled Cheese Mystery
Synopsis:
The next in a delicious new culinary cozy series featuring a grilled cheese eatery owner who must solve murders in her small town before someone is cheddar off dead
Winter in Balsam Dell is a snowy affair, and to add in some cheer after the holidays Carly's former classmate Klarissa Taddeo is hosting her extravagant bridal shower at the historic Balsam Dell inn. That is, until a double-booking throws some mold in the cheese and leaves Klarissa scrambling. With the venue moved to the maid of honor's family mansion and Carly rinding to create a new delicious treat it seems the group is going to pull off the shower without a hitch.
That is, until a rowdy band of groomsmen crashes the event. Klarissa is furious with her groom-to-be and when a loud argument ensues, everyone is shocked by what they hear. When the groom is later found dead at the bottom of the stairs, his drink spiked with a hefty dose of poison, Carly must put her nose to the rind and save Klarissa from being suspect #1.
Because you know what they say: it's always the (almost) wife.
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
Cheddar Late than Dead is the third installment in Linda Reilly's wonderful Grilled Cheese Mystery cozy series, and it was one of my most anticipated releases of 2023. It takes us readers back to Balsam Dell, Vermont to catch up with Carly Hale; a young woman who runs a popular grilled cheese eatery while stumbling upon murders on the side.
Carly is asked last minute to cater a bridal shower for a woman she went to high school with, but things turn deadly when the woman's fiancé is found murdered right at the shower. Of course, Carly can't help herself from getting involved; especially when so much is at stake, and the mystery seems to keep on growing. Soon a missing person's case is dragged into the mess, and Carly will stop at nothing to see justice served.
Another worthy title in this cozy mystery series, I'm happy to say that Cheddar Late than Dead kept me guessing from start to finish as to just who the dastardly villain was, and what their nefarious intentions truly were. It was also a fun addition to get to learn more about Carly's employees, and I truly loved how the whole staff came to feel like a family of sorts who truly care about each other, despite not having much in common.
The mystery was well plotted and paced, but perhaps a bit darker than it was in the previous title. Linda Reilly's writing style kept me engaged throughout, and I continue to enjoy Carly as a protagonist. I'm looking forward to following along on more of her adventures in future novels, and I'm hoping for a little more romance between her and Ari in the next story.
My only complaints would be the fact that I don't personally enjoy how this one is told from third person perspective. I think the reader would connect more with Carly if we were following it in first person. And secondly, the mystery in this one was quite a bit darker than I was expecting, and maybe just be forewarned of that fact before picking it up.
All in all though, it was a fantastic story, and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to read it.
Final Rating: 4/5.
Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to advance read and review this one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Poisoned Pen Press) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your weekend, and I'll see you all next year :)
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